U.S. patent application number 14/189493 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-28 for multi-position led tube connector.
The applicant listed for this patent is Viranjitsinh Chudasama, Stanley Szprengiel. Invention is credited to Viranjitsinh Chudasama, Stanley Szprengiel.
Application Number | 20140240971 14/189493 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51387935 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140240971 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Szprengiel; Stanley ; et
al. |
August 28, 2014 |
Multi-Position LED Tube Connector
Abstract
The connector for connecting the LED tube to the electrical
supply holder has a pair of metal connector pins each of which has
a pair of electrical contact in two bores of a circumferential
array of bore to allow the LED tube to be inserted into the
electrical supply holder in each of several positions 90.degree.
apart. In a second embodiment, the connector has a pair of metal
connector pins each of which has a semi-cylindrical wall against
which a pin of the LED tube contacts. In this embodiment, the LED
tube may be turned up to 360.degree..
Inventors: |
Szprengiel; Stanley;
(Jackson, NJ) ; Chudasama; Viranjitsinh; (Toms
River, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Szprengiel; Stanley
Chudasama; Viranjitsinh |
Jackson
Toms River |
NJ
NJ |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51387935 |
Appl. No.: |
14/189493 |
Filed: |
February 25, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61768757 |
Feb 25, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/217.13 ;
439/168 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21Y 2115/10 20160801;
F21K 9/27 20160801; F21V 21/30 20130101; F21K 9/65 20160801; F21Y
2103/10 20160801; F21V 23/06 20130101; H01R 33/06 20130101; H01R
33/0809 20130101; F21Y 2105/10 20160801; H01R 33/94 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
362/217.13 ;
439/168 |
International
Class: |
H01R 13/717 20060101
H01R013/717; F21V 23/06 20060101 F21V023/06 |
Claims
1. A connector of one piece construction for mounting an end of an
LED tube in an electrical supply holder, said connector comprising
a cylindrical body of electrically inert material having a closed
end; a radially directed flange at said closed end of said body for
abutting against the electrical supply holder; a receptacle
integrally formed on said flange for fitting into the electrical
supply holder; and an integral insert within said cylindrical body
having a central bore of rectangular shape extending through said
cylindrical body.
2. A connector as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a
plurality of circumferentially disposed bores in said insert about
said central bore for selectively receiving a pair of contact pins
of an LED tube.
3. A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein said insert is of
cylindrical shape with a plurality of radially directed struts
supporting a centrally located tube having said central bore
therein.
4. In combination a one piece connector having a cylindrical body
having a closed end, a radially directed flange at said closed end
of said body, a receptacle integrally formed on said flange; and an
integral insert within said cylindrical body having a central bore
of rectangular shape extending through said cylindrical body: and a
pair of metal connector pins mounted in said connector, each said
connector pin having a column extending through said central bore
of said connector, a plate extending from one end of said column
and disposed within said receptacle of said connector and at least
one electrical contact at an opposite end of said column.
5. The combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said plate of
each connector pin is bendable relative to said column thereof.
6. The combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said insert of
said connector has a plurality of circumferentially disposed bores
about said central bore and each said connector pin has a pair of
electrical contacts received in an adjacent pair of said
circumferentially disposed bores.
7. The combination as set forth in claim 6 further comprising an
electrical supply holder having a housing with a projecting socket
and power lines for energizing said socket, said socket having said
body and said receptacle of said connector within said socket and
said flange abutted against said socket.
8. The combination as set forth in claim 7 further comprising a LED
tube having a housing at one end with a pair of contact pins
projecting therefrom into a pair of oppositely disposed bores of
said circumferentially disposed bores, each said contact pin being
in contact with an electrical contact of a respective connector
pin.
9. The combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said insert is
of cylindrical shape with a plurality of radially directed struts
supporting a centrally located tube having said central bore
therein and each said connector pin has a semi-circular wall mating
with an outside of said tube.
10. The combination as set forth in claim 8 further comprising an
electrical supply holder having a housing with a projecting socket
and power lines for energizing said socket, said socket having said
body and said receptacle of said connector within said socket and
said flange abutted against said socket.
11. The combination as set forth in claim 9 further comprising a
LED tube having a housing at one end with a pair of contact pins
projecting therefrom, each said contact pin being in contact with
said semi-cylindrical wall of a respective connector pin.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority of Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/768,757 filed Feb. 25, 2013.
[0002] This invention relates to a multi-position LED tube
connector.
[0003] As is known, many LED tubes are fabricated of an elongated
housing that is provided with a pair of contact pins at one end in
order to fit into an electrical supply holder for energization of
the diodes of the tubes. Typically, these LED tubes are constructed
such that the light emitted upon energization is uni-directional.
As a result, should a need arise to adjust the direction of the
emitted light, these LED tubes are unable to adjust to this
situation.
[0004] It has also been known to adapt a LED tube so as to be
mounted in different positions relative to an electrical
socket.
[0005] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,052,171 describes a lighting
assembly that has an elongated housing which contains a plurality
of light emitting diodes with terminals at the ends of the housing
to connect the lighting assembly into standard sockets of a
fluorescent light fixture that has been modified to power the light
emitting diodes. Use is made of a releasable holding mechanism that
allows the housing to be rotated with respect to the sockets to aim
the light is a desired direction and then hold the housing in that
orientation.
[0006] Published US Patent Application 2010/0277930 describes a LED
lamp structure includes a light-transmitting tube, a light-emitting
module and two LED lamp adapters positioned on two opposite ends of
the light-transmitting tube. Each adapter has parts that allow the
electrode pins at the end of the LED tube to be rotated into
different mounting positions.
[0007] However, the adapters that have been used to adjust the
mounting of a LED tube in an electrical socket have been relatively
complex and have required multiple parts that require manual
manipulation in order to adjust the mounted position of a LED
tube.
[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a
connector (or adapter) of relatively simple construction for
adjusting an LED tube to different positions in order to redirect
light emitted from the LED tube.
[0009] It is another object of the invention to be able to adjust
the position of a LED tube in an electrical supply holder in a
simple quick manner.
[0010] It is another object of the invention to be able to
concentrate the light emitted from multiple LED tubes onto a
selected surface.
[0011] Briefly, the invention provides a connector of one piece
construction for mounting an end of an LED tube in an electrical
supply holder and which enables the LED tube to be mounted in
different angular positions within the electrical supply
holder.
[0012] The connector comprises a cylindrical body of electrically
inert material having a closed end, a radially directed flange at
the closed end for abutting against the electrical supply holder, a
receptacle integrally formed on the flange for fitting into the
electrical supply holder; and an integral insert within the
cylindrical body having a central bore of rectangular shape
extending through the cylindrical body.
[0013] The multi-position LED tube connector is used to secure a
LED tube at any position and to change the beam angle of the tube.
With the help of two or more tubes, the lighting area can be
increased by adjusting each tube to a different angle.
[0014] In one embodiment, the connector has a plurality of
circumferentially disposed bores in the insert about the central
bore for selectively receiving a pair of contact pins of an LED
tube.
[0015] In addition, a pair of metal connector pins is mounted in
the connector with each connector pin having a plate at one end
disposed within the receptacle of the connector and a pair of
electrical contacts at an opposite end disposed in an adjacent pair
of the circumferentially disposed bores.
[0016] In this embodiment, the LED tube may be mounted in one of
several positions 90.degree. apart.
[0017] In another embodiment, the insert of the connector is of
cylindrical shape with a plurality of radially directed struts
supporting a centrally located tube having the central bore
therein. In addition, a pair of metal connector pins is mounted in
the connector with each connector pin having a plate at one end
disposed within the receptacle of the connector and a semi-circular
wall at the opposite end mating with an outside of the tube.
[0018] In this embodiment, the LED tube may be mounted in any
position with the pins of the LED tube in contact with the
semi-cylindrical walls of the connector pins.
[0019] These and other objects and advantages will become more
apparent from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a connector in
accordance with the invention between an LED tube and an electrical
supply holder;
[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the connector of
FIG. 1 from the electrical supply holder end;
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the connector of
FIG. 1 from the LED tube end;
[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a modified
connector in accordance with the invention;
[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a
connector pin in accordance with the invention;
[0025] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment
of a connector pin in accordance with the invention;
[0026] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the connector pin
of FIG. 5 in place in the connector of FIG. 3; and
[0027] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the connector pin
of FIG. 6 in place in the connector of FIG. 4.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, the connector (I.e. adapter) 10 is of
one-piece construction and is constructed to enable mounting of an
LED tube 11 in an electrical supply holder 12 (i.e. an electrical
socket). In this embodiment, the LED tube 11 is of a conventional
structure with a housing 13 from which two contact pins 14 project.
In a similar manner, the electrical supply holder 12 is of a
conventional structure with a housing 14 from which a socket 15
projects for receiving an electrical fixture and power lines 16 for
energizing the socket 15.
[0029] The connector 10 is made of any suitable electrically inert
material with a plastic being preferred.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 2, the connector 10 has a cylindrical body
17 that is closed at one end by a radially directed flange 18. In
addition, a receptacle 19 is integrally formed on the flange 18 for
fitting into the socket 15 of the electrical supply holder 12. As
illustrated in FIG. 1, the flange 18 is sized to abut against the
socket 15 of the electrical supply holder 12 when the receptacle 19
is seated within the socket 15.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 3, the connector 10 also has an integral
insert 20 of cylindrical shape within the cylindrical body 17 that
has a plurality of bores 21, e.g. four bores, disposed
circumferentially about a centrally located bore 22 of rectangular
shape. The centrally located bore 22 extends completely through the
connector 10.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1, 5 and 7, the connector 10 employs a
pair of metal connector pins 23 for establishing electrical contact
between the pins of the LED tube 11 and the socket 15 of the
electrical supply holder 12.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, each connector pin 23 has a vertically
disposed column 24, as viewed, of flat rectangular shape and a
plate 25 of generally circular shape extending from the bottom of
the column 24. The plate 25 includes a centrally located depression
26 that provides for an electrical contact with the socket 15 of
the electrical supply holder 12.
[0034] Each connector pin 23 is made of sheet metal such that the
plate 25 is bendable relative to the column 24.
[0035] In addition, each connector pin 23 has an outwardly
extending strut 27 at the top end of the column 24 from which a
plate 28 extends downwardly at the end. Each connector pin 23 also
has a leg 29 extending perpendicularly outwardly from the top end
of the column 24 on which a second strut 27 and depending plate 28
are mounted. As such, each connector pin 23 provides a pair of
electrical contacts via the plates 28.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 7, each connector pin 23 is mounted in the
connector 10 with a depending plate 28 inserted into a respective
bore 21 and the column 24 inserted into the rectangular bore 22. As
indicated, the two connector pins 23 provide two pairs of contacts
for selectively receiving the contact pins 14 of the LED tube 11.
That is, the LED tube 11 may be received in one of four positions
90.degree. apart.
[0037] When mounted in the central bore 22 of the connector 10, the
plate 25 of each connector pin 23 is bent and is sized to pass
through the bore 22 from the top end, as viewed, to be exposed at
the bottom end and then bent back into the position shown in FIG. 5
to provide a contact surface for the socket 15 of the electrical
supply holder 12.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 8, wherein like reference
characters indicate like parts as above, in another embodiment, the
connector 10' has an integral insert 30 of cylindrical shape within
the LED tube end of the cylindrical body 11 that has a pair of
radially directed struts 31 supporting a centrally located tube 32.
As shown, the tube 32 is formed with a bore 33 of rectangular
shape.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 8, wherein like reference
characters indicate like parts as above, the connector 10' of FIG.
4 employs a pair of modified connector pins 34 to establish
electrical contact with the contact pins 14 of the LED tube 11.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 6, each connector pin 34 is of an integral
construction with a vertically disposed column 24 of flat
rectangular shape and a plate 25 of generally circular shape
extending from the bottom of the column 24. As indicated, the plate
25 has a centrally disposed depression 26 as above.
[0041] Each connector pin 34 also has a semi-circular wall 35 that
is supported from the top of the column 24 via a strut 36 that
extends between the column 24 and the wall 35 and a leg 37 and a
second strut 36 that extends between the column 24 and wall 35. As
shown, the leg 37 is perpendicular to the top of the column 24 such
that the two struts 36 are radial to the wall 35.
[0042] The column 24 is provided with a greater width at the top
end to keep the positive and negative farther apart.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 8, connector pin 34 of FIG. 6 is mounted
in the connector 10' of FIG. 4 such that the semi-circular wall 35
of the connector pin 34 mates to the outside of the tube 32 of the
insert 30. In addition, the struts 36 lie against the end face of
the tube 32 while the column 24 extends through the tube 32 to
position the plate 25 for contact with the electrical supply holder
12 as above.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 2, the receptacle 19 on the electrical
supply holder end of the connector 10 is of oval shape with a pair
of circular recesses 38 at opposite ends to receive the circular
plates 25 of the connector pins 23, 34.
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7, as noted above, the connector 10
provides for mounting of an LED tube in one of four positions
90.degree. apart, e.g. 0.degree., 90.degree., 180.degree.,
270.degree. and 360.degree..
[0046] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the modified
connector 10' provides a pair of arcuate slots about the tube 32
into which the contact pins 11 of the LED tube 11 may be inserted
to contact with the semi-circular walls 35 of the connector pins
34. As such, the LED tube 11 may be oriented in multiple positions
relative to the connector 10', e.g. from 0.degree. to 360.degree.,
in order to change the angle of light emitted from the LED tube
11.
[0047] The invention thus provides a one piece connector of simple
construction that allows an LED tube to be adjusted to different
positions in order to redirect light emitted from the LED tube.
Further, the connector allows the position of a LED tube to be
adjusted in an electrical supply holder in a simple quick manner
without a need to disassemble any parts of the connecter by simply
turning the LED tube relative to the electrical supply holder (i.e.
socket).
[0048] Further, the invention allows the mounted positions of
multiple LED tubes to be adjusted in order to concentrate the light
emitted from the LED tubes onto a selected surface.
* * * * *